Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Various political parties including BJP, Congress, National Conference and others celebrated 74th Independence Day with enthusiasm across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaders and activists including MPs and former Legislators, celebrated Independence Day by hoisting National Flag amidst nationalist sloganeering and distribution of sweets with enthusiasm during the celebration functions, organized across the length and breadth of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K unit of BJP celebrated the day with fervour by hoisting Tricolour at various prominent places and distributed sweets in Jammu City. The main celebration was held at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar. J&K unit president, Ravinder Raina along with other senior leaders hoisted the “Tiranga” at City Chowk and Pt. Prem Nath Dogra Bhawan, Kachi Chawni BJP office, along with every Mohalla, Chowk, Ward, Panchayat and other prominent places of the region.
Ravinder Raina was also accompanied by former BJP president Shamsher Singh Manhas (MP Rajya Sabha), Jugal Kishore Sharma (MP Lok Sabha), Sat Sharma (CA) and former president Ashok Khajuria, former DyCM Kavinder Gupta, party vice-presidents Yudhvir Sethi, Shakti Parihar and Aseem Gupta, general secretaries Sunil Sharma, Vibodh Gupta and Dr DK Manyal, Bharat Bhushan Bodhi (former MLA), Arvind Gupta, Veenu Khanna, Rekha Mahajan, Parmod Kapahi, Sanjay Baru, Manish Sharma, Rajeev Charak, Tilak Raj Gupta, Dr Pardeep Mahotra, Jugal Kishore Gupta, Jaidev Rajwal and others accompanied the J&K UT president during flag hoisting ceremonies.
J&K UT BJP general secretary (org) Ashok Kaul, along with other senior leaders from Kashmir region, led the flag hoisting celebrations by the party activists in Kashmir region.
While extending greetings to the people Raina said that J&K people are celebrating “Jashn-e-Azadi” with fervor in every Panchayat and Ward. He said that this is very pious occasion for every Indian when we got independence from British Rule. He said India has rich history of sacrifices by the braves like Chander Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Neta ji Subhash Chander Bose, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, Tantya Tope, Dr Hedgewar, Rani Laxmi Bai and others. He appreciated all the Indian forces for their exemplary role in giving befitting reply to our enemies.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP also hoisted flag at City Chowk, Kachi Chawni, Trikuta Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar and Parade Ground. Shamsher Singh Manhas hoisted National Flag at Patoli, Ploura, Muthi and Ban Talab.
Kavinder Gupta unfurled tricolor at Gorkha Nagar, Bahu Fort, Bhatindi, Macca Masjid, Nanak Nagar Shivaji Chowk, Apsara Road, Nai Basti, Jeevan Nagar, Preet Nagar, Bus Stand, Trikuta Nagar, Raipur Satwari, Chatha etc.
Sat Sharma hoisted “Tiranga” at Waerd No. 8, 9, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 40, 41 etc. of Jammu West Assembly Constituency.
Dr Nirmal Singh hoisted “Tiranga” at Billawar Town, Gujru Nagrota, Mahanpur and village Tamlar.
Former Minister and senior BJP leader Bali Bhagat, along with Mandal president Muthi-Ploura Suresh Khajuria and Corporator Tripta Devi Ward 66 hoisted tricolor at Lower Roop Nagar to mark the Independence Day.
Yudhvir Sethi hoisted “Tiranga” at City Chowk, Kachi Chawani, Raghunath Pura, Paharian Mohalla, Old Hospital Road, Shaheedi Chowk, Gujjar Nagar, Prem Nagar, Swami Viveka-Nanda Chowk, Bus Stand, Pacca Danga, Circular Road, Purani Mandi etc.
Priya Sethi hoisted “Tiranga” at Paharian Mohalla, City Chowk, Kachi Chawni, Parade, Pacca Danga and Cantonment Ward 3.
Dr DK Manyal hoisted “Tiranga” at party headquarters, Greater Kailash, Diani village of Samba, party office Supwal in Samba and Samba town Chowk.
Senior BJP leader Pawan Khajuria hoisted “Tiranga” at Sailan Talab, Matador Stand, BJP office Udhampur town.
Vikram Randhawa (former MLC) hoisted “Tiranga” at 22 different locations of Gandhi Nagar Assembly Segment, Bathindi Morh, Narwal Morh, Batra Morh, Gorkha Nagar, Channi Himmat, Trikuta Nagar, Model Town, Greater Jammu, Kunjwani, Dashmesh Nagar, Jeevan Nagar, Ga?i Garh, Chatha Pind, Bhour Kulian, Beli Charana and Kargil Colony.
Former minister and senior BJP leader from Marh, Ch Sukhnanadan unfurled national flag at Chicken Neck border post Gole Pattan along with BSF officers, Gajansoo, Degree College Marh and several other places of Marh constituency and complimented the people on this occasion.
Vibodh Gupta, Ex-MLC hoisted tricolor at Rajouri town and several other places across the district. He appealed the misguided youth to join national mainstream and work for the development of the country.
BJP leader Raman Suri (SEM) along with some volunteers, Twinkle Gupta, Pawan Sharma, Atul Gupta , Ankush, Lucky Mehra hoisted national flag and also planted saplings of medicinal plants to mark the Ind-Day in Jammu. BJP State executive member, Ravi Bakshi hoisted national flag along with other activists at four places in Sainik Colony area of Jammu. Bharatiya Atal Sena Rashtrawadi (BASR) J&K unit led by Suresh Gupta unfurled National Flag at Jeevan Nagar, Babliana Chowk in presence of TS Slathia , vice president, Tejinder Vohra, Arun Gupta and others.
Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation Chander Mohan Gupta hoisted national flag at Town Hall in presence of Commissioner, JMC Avny Lavasa , Asst Commissioner Sudhir Bali, Secretary Tinna Mahajan, Jt Commissioner Sunil Thussu, Health officer Dr Shamim Mir and other staff. Mayor complimented the staff and people of Jammu in general on this occasion.
Senior BJP leader and Chairman JMC Baldev Singh Billawaria hoisted tricolor at all booths of Ward 56, Gangyal, Digiana, Trikuta Nagar, Gadigarh and Jeevan Nagar along with other party workers .
Former Minister and senior BJP leader Chander Parkash Ganga and president Municipal Committee Bari Brahmana Puran Chand hoisted national flag at the MC office complex today in presence of other MC members and party workers. Ganga also addressed the gathering and recalled the contribution of freedom fighters.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) celebrated the 74th Independence day in an impressive function at PCC head office Shaheedi Chowk Jammu, while all district and block Congress units held the functions at their respective headquarters in various parts of the province.
The main function in Jammu was held at Shaheedi Chowk Jammu in which PCC vice president and former minister Raman Bhalla unfurled the National flag in presence of several senior leaders and functionaries of PCC, DCC Jammu Urban, Congress Seva Dal and other frontal wings.
The function was organized by the DCC Jammu Urban led by Yogesh Sawhney (former minister) while the traditional parade was organized by the Congress Seva Dal on the occasion. Sahwney also hoisted tri-colour at Ward No. 1 and 2 of Jammu East.
Prominent among those present include chief spokesperson JKPCC Ravinder Sharma, vice president PCC Kanta Bhan, co- treasurer Rajnish Sharma, general secretary PCC Manmohan Singh, former minister and DCC president Rajouri Shabir Ahmed Khan, Seva Dal chief Rajesh Sadhotra, Krishan Lal Gupta (Senior Citizens Cell), S Gurdarshan Singh (Minority Wing), Suresh Dogra,(OBC Cell), Corporators – Ritu Choudhary, Mohiuddin, Gourav Chopra, Thomas Khokhar, Vicky Mahajan, Rajveer Singh, Dr Rama Kant Khajuria, Madan Lal Malagar and others.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla congratulated the countrymen on the occasion and reminded them about the sacrifices of lakhs of Indians in the freedom struggle led by Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and other stalwarts like Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Moulana Azad, Dr BR Ambedkar, Subash Chander Bose, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj Guru.
He said the present and future generations must always remember the countless sacrifices and contributions of our great leaders and countrymen to achieve freedom. He said that nation adopted a unique constitution under the chairmanship of the drafting committee of Dr Ambedkar, which translated the spirit of freedom struggle and based it on the concept of unity in diversity which is the basis of the strength of our pluralistic society.
Several functions were held by the Congress at all district and block headquarters in Jammu province while observing the guidelines. The national flag was hoisted by the respective party units and reminded the people about the freedom struggle and the contributions of freedom fighters led by INC.
Former Minister and PCC vice president Mula Ram and Hari Singh Chib, president DCC Jammu Rural alognwith J&K Youth Congress president Uday Chib, Ricky Dalgotra (gen secy) and Rajni Balla (Corporator) hoisted national flag at several places in Raipur Domana including Buta Nagar, Ploura, Ban Talab organised functions in this connection. They recalled the great contributions of our national heroes/ freedom fighters.
Former Minister and PCC vice president G M Saroori along with senior party leader, Thakur Madan Bandhari hoisted national flag at Kishtwar town and several other places in his Inderwal constituency. The function was held following Covid-19 guidelines. Saroori also addressed the gathering and recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and national heroes. He attended official function at DC office Kishtwar as well.
DCC president Kathua, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma along with Ex-MLC Subhash Guota and Congress leaders Pankaj Dogra, D S Bindu, Aradhna Andotra, Mastger Abdul Rashid, Ramesh Kundal, Parveen Bhagat, Kulbhushan Councillor , Krishan Singh and others hoisted national flag at Kathua town to celebrate Independence Day. The speakers recalled the contribution of national heroes and Congress party in freedom struggle.
Senior Congress leader and Member AICC, M K Bhardwaj (Adv) along with party activists, farmers and citizens unfurled national flag at Tara Chowk Bishnah, Treva Morh border town Arnia, villages Ratnal, Rehal , Laswara, Pandorian and Karel Manhasan. Bhardwaj addressed the gatherings and recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the role of Congress party in the freedom struggle.
PCC secretary Shashi Sharma hoisted tri-colour at Covent Chowk, Bishnah and party office Kanal along with other party workers and distributed sweets. JMC Councillor Gourav Chopra unfurled national flag at Bakshi Nagar, Jammu West to mark the occasion. JKPCC OBC Cell incharge/chairman Suresh Dogra ( Adv) along with Cell members hoisted national flag at Shalamar Chowk, Bikram Chowk and Raghunath Pura in Jammu East.
Municipal Committee, Thannamandi president Shakeel Ahmed Mir along with other members and prominent citizens hoisted tri-colour at MC Complex Thannamandi on Saturday. Mir also addressed the gathering complimented people of the area on the occasion.
In Srinagar, the JKPCC celebrated 74th Independence Day at Party office and held flag hoisting ceremony.
Senior Party leaders and workers celebrated Independence day with great enthusiasm and exchanged greetings and also distributed sweets on this occasion. The participants described the occasion as manifestation of countless sacrifices given by thousands of freedom fighters, who fought against British that ruled India for a long time.
The leaders recalled the selfless services and sacrifices of freedom fighters, who laid down their lives for the prestige and honour of the Nation and achieved freedom, as a result India became a sovereign country. They lauded the selfless services of Congress Party under the leadership of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and others who worked tirelessly to make the India a vibrant democracy and developing country.
Prominent among those present on this occasion included, PCC vice president Abdul Rashid Dar, general secretary Surinder Sigh Channi, District president Abdul Gani Khan, Mahila wing vice president Shameema Raina, senior leaders Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday, Dr Ayoub Matoo, Mohd Sultan, Mir Rovais, Hilal Ahmad Wani, Shameema Sopori, Mohd Hussain Wada, Shameema Khan, NA Lone and others.
National Conference, provincial president for Jammu, Devinder Singh Rana while describing secular character and democratic foundations as the biggest strength of India, underscored the crucial need for amity, brotherhood and harmony between various segments of the society.
Hoisting Tricolour on 74th Independence Day at party office Jammu Rana said the best way to celebrate this auspicious occasion is to work for accomplishment cherished agenda of freedom fighters, who had envisioned India to emerge as a world leader at the strength of its civilizational ethos, immense capacity and capabilities of its human resource and above all its tryst with inclusiveness.
Rana greeted the people on the auspicious occasion and hoped that they will strive for further forging the bonds of love and amity as per the glorious traditions of Jammu and Kashmir. He also cautioned the people against those creating wedge between various segments of society in the name of region, religion or caste, saying such elements were harming the larger national interest for political gains.
Those present on the occasion included Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Rattan Lal Gupta, Javed Rana, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Bimla Luthra, Brij Mohan Sharma, Haji Mohammed Hussain, Vijay Laxmi Dutta, Swarn Lata, SS Bunty, Vijay Lochan, Abdul Gani Teli, DS Jamwal, PL Sharma, Rashida Begum, Col Rahid Ahmed and others.
JKNC district unit Udhampur celebrated Independence Day near SSP office under the leadership of Sunil Verma. Flag hoisting ceremony was held in presence a large number of party workers. Sweets were also distributed on the occasion.
PDP general secretary and former MLC, Surinder Choudhary called upon party cadre to work for strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood. He said that frustrating designs of the divisive forces is the real tributes to those who had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country.
Addressing party workers after hoisting National Flag at PDP office Jammu this morning, Choudhary paid tributes to thousands of freedom fighters who liberated nation from British rule.
Pointing towards prevailing situation in J&K, former MLC said that J&K is passing through a very crucial stage and it is duty of all the right thinking people to protect rights of the residents of J&K. He said that an undeclared emergency has been imposed in J&K as many senior leaders including president of PDP and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti are under detention for the last one year.
Earlier, Choudhary and other senior leaders of the PDP hoisted national flag amid shouting of patriotic slogans. Party leaders / activists RK Bali, Satpal Charak, Peter, Sunil Bhat, Varinder Singh, Darshan Mangotra, Daljit Singh, KK Sharma, Rachpal Singh Billoria, Neeraj Chandel and others were also present.
Former minister, veteran NCP leader and national president Aromatic Plants Growers Association Thakur Randhir Singh greeted the people of J&K on the occasion of Independence Day. He also recalled the valuable contribution of freedom fighters and national heroes besides lakhs of people from various communities in the country for achieving freedom.
Janata Dal Secular, J&K unit led by Ranjay Bargotra hoisted national flag at party office Reghunath Bazaar, Jammu. Party working president S Kulbir Singh, other members HC Dogra, Bhagwat Sharma and Ram Rattan were also present.
Shiv Sena (Bal Thalkrey), J&K Unit led by Manish Sawhney hoisted tri-colour at party office and celebrated the occasion. Several party leaders and activists were also present.
Nationalist Democratic Party (NDP), J&K unit also celebrated Independence Day with national fervour and enthusiasm. Party working president NK Attri, hoisted tricolor at Bakshinagar along with party leaders Vijay Anand, SC Sharma, RK Khajuria, JG Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Balbir Singh and others.
National Awami United Party (NAUP) led by Sandeep Singh unfurled tricolor at Dream City, Muthi and party office Vijaypur in district Samba. The gathering sung National Anthem and distributed sweets.
National Democratic Party Indian, J&K UT president, Rajesh Gupta along with other activists hoisted national flag at party office here and recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters. He also greeted the people on the occasion. Senior members OP Sharma, Sandeep Anand, Rajan Kumar, Umesh Manhas and others were also present.
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